Barrett "Barry" Franklin Kalb

Barrett F. Kalb, 94, the only child of Harry Kalb and Mae Ashen Kalb Schreiber, passed away quietly at home in New Bern, North Carolina, on Thursday, December 11, 2025, after a long life lived on his own terms.

He is survived by his wife, Nadia Alexandre Kalb, who cared for him in his final years; his daughters, Kathy Anne Kalb, Carolyn Marr (Richard), and Amanda Lannon Kalb; and his son, Ashur Barrett Kalb (Erin Tolman). Meeting his newborn granddaughter Ada Astra Tolman Kalb in the last week of his life was a profound joy.

Barry was born on July 27, 1931, in Newark, New Jersey, grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey, and was a star athlete at Columbia High School. He graduated University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1953, where he was involved with the honor council, ZBT fraternity, football, and soccer, of which he was team captain. He finished Rutgers Law School in 1956, and was admitted to both the New Jersey and New York bars. During this time, he was a naval reservist and became a CPA as well. In 2006, the New Jersey State Bar Association honored him for his 50 years of service.

When Barry started his law career in Newark, he and his partner John Blume had one desk and each sat on a side of it. Their first client paid them by installing an air conditioner in the office. From there he built an eponymous law firm in New Jersey, establishing a reputation for expertise in commercial litigation and business transactions. In 1992, he brought his vast experience to the firm of Bendit Weinstock where he was Of Counsel and active into his 90s. Over the course of his career, he was frequently appointed by the courts to serve in positions of high trust, including as a Special Master, Guardian, and Receiver.

As the story goes, one of his first jobs was as an accountant with his father Harry in offices above a deli in South Orange, New Jersey, and the smell from the hot pickle barrels in the summertime gave him a deep and lifelong abhorrence of the things. The same did not apply to hot dogs, which he would have eaten for every meal if his doctor or wife would allow it.

As an entrepreneur, Barry had an assortment of ventures and investments over the years, more successful than not, and always interesting. He would point to various ones in passing - a restaurant he owned (The George Inn), a series of rural billboards, a helipad on the Hudson River. He appreciated art, and had more pieces in his collection than space to hang them. Once he found an antique camel saddle on a Manhattan sidewalk and had it framed and hung above his desk, where it stayed for several decades. He also enjoyed photography, woodworking, and once built a kit car in his garage. His beach house in Amagansett, NY (once the residence of novelist Joseph Heller), was a treasured refuge, and he loved to meet friends early for breakfast outside the Amagansett Farmer’s Market. He tried for years to have Heller sign a copy of one of his books for display at the beach house, but to no avail.

While the law was his profession, flying was his passion. Barry traveled the country for work and fun, piloting his beloved Beechcraft Bonanza with a distinctive Spider-Man painted on the side, often with his children sitting copilot. With his many airport friends, he often honored the pilot tradition of the “$100 hamburger,” where he would fly to an airport - any airport - have lunch, and fly home. Occasionally he would wake before dawn, throw a companion in the plane, and fly down to the Florida Keys to grab a slice of key lime pie and sometimes a round of golf too. He enjoyed meeting and making friends on the golf course more than almost anything else. He was proud of his children, and was especially close with his son Ashur, with whom he shared a love of flying, entrepreneurship, science fiction, and taking things apart to understand how they work.

Barry spent his life helping other people solve their problems. When people tell stories about him, those are the stories they tell most often: Barry stepping in to help. He leaves a legacy of professional excellence, love of adventure, and a family who will remember him always.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Cotten Funeral Home. Barry was not opposed to having his ashes launched into space to orbit the earth, forever flying, but more likely there will be a private family celebration held on the beach in Amagansett. In lieu of flowers, please eat a hot dog or hamburger (no pickles) and think about the simple pleasures you enjoy in life.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Barrett "Barry" Franklin Kalb.